The Labor enquirer., 1887-10-15
LONDON LETTER.
british Trade Unionlsts Advanc-
ing on Sotialistic
Lines.
The soelal.Democrats Cenenting the
y Workers Into One lntelll.
gent body.
tdiior labor Enquirer.

Editor Labor Enquirer.
LONDON, Sept I6.-Social-D
bcrats have good reason to be
satisfied with the result of the
|rade-union congress which finish
Id its sitting at Swansea on Satur-
day last. The deliberations OF the
congress show a marked advance
on those of last year. Resolutions
in favor of the holding of an inter-
national trade-union congress in
London next year, of the national
zation of the soil, and of the for
nation Of an independent Labor
Party as against the existing
niddle-class political parties have
been carried by the delegates
much against the wishes and in
fuence of many of the trade
union officials who have degener-
ated into mere hangers-on of the
liberal party. The capitalist press
arc furious at the result. They
see already that if the English
trade-unionists are moving for
ward along the lines which will
eventually lead them to Social
Democracy they can no longer be
reckoned upon as a conservative
force in any revolutionary period.
Such sentiments as those express
ed by Mr.. w. Bevan, the presi-
dent Of the trade-union congress,
ridiculing the "bogey of continen-
tai Socialism and boldly pro-
I claiming that Socialism had lost
its terrors for them are enough
to strike terror into the breasts OF
the wire-pullers of the liberal party
: who have always counted on the
trade-unionists to form the rank
and file of their party at election
times. Moreover, and of this the
exploiters are fully aware, an in
terhatioMl trade-union congress
in London will bring to the Brit
ish metropolis Social-Democrats
from all parts Of the world which
cannot fail to strengthen Social
Democracy here and drive the
more advanced of the trade-union-
lists into our ranks. The Social
Democrats look upon the holding
Of an international congress here
as of so much Importance that
had the Swansea congress decided
against it the Social-Democratic
federation would have called one
together. That the trade-union-
lists should have taken such an
important step in the right direc-
ton is really great victory for
the Social Democrats as it is un-
doubtedly due to their constant
agitation that the barriers of ma
tional feeling and race prejudice
which have so long stood in the
way of thorough understanding
between the the workers of Great
Britain and their continental fel-
lows are being removed.
1t is becoming more and more
clear every day that the struggle
OF the future will be between the
conservatives, the party of reac-
ton and the Social-Democrats,
the party of real progress. The
liberal and radical politicians are
doomed. There half-hearted pol
icy and tactics arouse no enthusi-
aSm. Here is an instance: On
Saturday, August IL, the Social
Democratic Federation held a
demonstration in Trafalgar-Square
10 protest against the imprison-
mcnt of one of their members
named Pole, for an alleged assault
on policeman, of which he was
entirely innocent. About 10000
persons attended. On Saturday
August y, the liberals and radi'
calls held a demonstration to pro-
test against the proclamation oi
the Irish national league. The
meeting was a thorough "hzzle."
There were only between 5000
and 1000 people present. Why
was this' On the one side a dem
onatration to protest against the